Machine for reinforcing clothespins



Jime 13, 1944.

. J. R. NOLAN MACHINE FOR REINFORCING .CLOTHESPINS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 1

.J. R. NOLAN MACHINE FOR REINFORCING CLOTHESPINS June 13, 1944.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct 1 June 13, 1944. J. R; NOLAN MACHINE FORREINFORCING CLOTHESf'INS Filed Oct. 1, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' June 13,1944. J. R. NOLAN MACHINE FOR REINFCRGING CLOTHESPINS Filed Oct 1. 19425'Shee9s-Sheet 4f N iv 71 \97 \A i PETE 36 r ll d" gf7\' J I 5.9 v 2 skiJune 13, 1944. J. R. NOLAN 2,351,450

MACI' IINE FOR REINFORCING CLOTHESPINS Filed Oct. 1, 1942 P-PP 5SheetsSheet 5 Ivwfof a i fiqw Patented June 13, 1944 UNITED STATESPATENT. OFFICE 2,351,450 MACHINE FOR REINFORCING CLOTHESPIN S John R.Nolan, Larchmont, N. Y.

Application Octoberl, 1942, Serial No. 460,406

16 Claims.

This invention relates to means for applying to and confining within abifurcated wooden clothespin a reinforcing element which is effective toprevent the splitting of the body of the pin when the prongs thereof aresubjected to excessive spreading strain while the clothespin is inservice.

In accordance with the principle of my invention metallic reinforcingelements-having spaced legs are efiiciently positioned at and driveninto the crotch portions and lengthwise of the interior of the bodies ofsucceeding clothespins in such manner that the legs of each elementdiverge laterally from the respective angular corners of the clothespin.

In carrying out the invention in the preferred way a metallicreinforcing element of substantially U-form is embedded in the body atthe crotch of the clothespin, the legs of the element being forcedthrough the angular corners of the crotch and coincidentally spreadlaterally, whereby the extremities of the diverging legs when theelement is driven home in the direction of the head of the clothespin,extend lengthwise into the body of the pin to points a greater distanceapart than the width of the crotch, and whereby the connective portionof the legs extends transversely of the crotch. Thus the diverging legs,which are firmly embedded in the solid body of the clothespin,diagonally intersect the lines of the grain passing through therespective corners of the crotch, and in consequence such legs co-actwith their short connective portion to prevent'the splitting of the bodyof the clothespin should the prongs be subjected to excessive spreadingstrain while in service.

The reinforcing element is introduced in the flaring mouth of the spacebetween the prongs of the clothespin and thence the element, legsleading, is forcibly driven toward the crotch of the clothespin, thepoints of the legs being guided and supported by the inner parallelwalls of the respective prongs. As the points approach the crotch of theclothespin they are forcibly deflected laterally into and through therespective opposed corners of the crotch, thus penetrating lengthwisethe solid body of the pin a determined distance. This done thereinforcing element is subjected to a succeeding driving impact andthereby driven home and across the face of the crotch.

A reinforced clothespin of the character described forms the subject ofmy pending application Serial No. 432,198, filed February 25, 1942.

A constructional form of machine according to my invention isillustrated in the annexed drawings, and is hereinafter described indetail, the scope of the invention being expressed in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings- Figure l is a plan of a clothespin reinforcing machineembodying the principle of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2a is a view of a portion of a horizontal clothespin guide memberand of an inclined feed guide member leading thereto, showing anescapement stop for pivotally checking the advance of the leadingclothespin and causing the clothespin to gravitate to a verticalposition astride of the guide plate while the head of the next adjacentinclined pin abuts the head of the leading pin, the vertical positionofthe leading pin being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section in a plane through the wirefeeding mechanism and the mechanisms for forming succeeding wirereinforcements and for driving a reinforcement into each succeedingclothespin, as on the line 3-3 of i 2.

Fig. 4 is a similar section in a plane through the clothespin feeder, ason the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4a is a detail section showing a spring pressure device fortemporarily holding the actuating slide of the escapement mechanismincluded in the clothespin feeder.

Fig, 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through a portion of the tableadjacent combined wire cutting and reinforcement forming members,showing a reciprocating driver and its apertured guide and also thedelivery portion of a clothespin guide plate including a spreader memberlocated in the path of each succeeding reinforcement after the formationof the reinforcing element.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section, as on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a section, similar to Fig. 5, of the combined cutter andformer members and adjuncts, showing said members in their raisedposition, and with the driver element elevated preparatory to drivingthe reinforcing element.

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan of the cutter and former members showing awire guide block and the apertured driver guide through which theleading end of a strand of wire extends.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the wire guide block.

Fig. 10 is a similar view of the combined cutter and former members,showing a part of the actuating devices for saidmembers.

Fig. 11 is a sectional perspective View of the driver guide, showing thehead of the driver as engaged with a reinforcement formed between andsupported by the walls of the guide.

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation showing the delivery end of the guidemember for a succession of clothespins, said guide member terminating ina spreader member, and also showing the driver head as supporting areinforcing element in close relation to the crotch of the clothespin,said driver head being represented as near the limit of its upwardstroke with the legs of the reinforcement embracing the spreader, andalso as impinging a reinforcing element which has been partiallyinserted in a preceding clothespin.

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation as on the line l3--l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a similar view showing the driver head at the limit of itsinserting stroke and the reinforcing element with its legs spread andpartially driven into the head of the clothespin.

Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation as on the line |-I5 of Fig. 12, butshowing the driver head at the limit of its upper stroke and thereinforcing element driven home. i

As illustrated in the drawings the supporting frame of the machineincludes a bed and a table 16; a drive shaft I1 having its bearings instandards 18 on the bed, and a main shaft 18 parallel with the driveshaft and mounted in bearings in standards 20 rising from the bed, the

two shafts having fast thereon intermeshing gears 2| and22,respectively.

Fixed upon and longitudinally of the table is a clothespin guidecomprising preferably a relatively thin plate 23 having at its righthand or discharging end, as viewed in Fig. 2, -a reduced extension 24 ofspecial construction'constituting a continuation of the upper edge ofthe plate. This extension functions as a spreader for the legs of thereinforcing element during their insertion in the body of theclothespin, as will be hereinafter described. v

The plate 23 is adapted to support astride thereof a row of clothespinsC, which rowls intermittently movable along the plate to position eachsucceeding leading clothespin upon, and

thereafter remove it from the spreader, as will presently appear.

The clothespins, as viewed in Fig. 2, are delivered to the left hand orreceiving end of the guide plate 23 by way of a suitably inclined platemember 25 which merges at its lower end with the guide plate. The higherpart of the inclined plate 25 preferably terminates in a horizontalextension 28 of substantial length adapted to receive and support instraddling relation a succession of clothespins. The clothespins may bemanually mounted on the horizontal extension 26 and at the same timepushed therealong to the inclined plate 25. down andto the foot of whichthey freely gravitate so that the head of the leading clothespinsomewhat overhangs the receiving end of the guide plate 23, while thesucceeding clothespins throughout the row remain in lateral contact. 1

A suitably mounted stop 21 intercepts the head of the leading descendingclothespin adjacent the foot of the inclined plate 25, and as a resultthe clothespin naturally swings to a vertical position, or.substantiallyso, and straddles the receiving end of the guide plate 23. Thereafterthe stop 2'! is retracted from the path of the vertical clothespin andthe latter is engaged by a suitable feeder, including, for example, anoscillating dog 28 (see Fig. 1) which in its forward stroke pushes theclothespin a definite distance along the guide plate. The feeder dog inits back stroke moves to a position for engagement with the nextsucceeding leading clothespin delivered to the guide plate 23. There isalso provided a secondary stop 29' which, concurrently with theretraction of the stop 21, is moved into the path of the succeedingclothespin at the foot of the inclined plate 25 as the feeder dogapproaches the end of its forward stroke, thus preventing prematureadvancement of the row of pins astride the inclined plate. (See Figs. 1,2 and 4.)

In the structure illustrated the stops 21 and 29 are constituted by thefree ends of the respective limbs 30 and 3| of an escapement, whichlimbs are suitably spaced on a horizontal rock shaft 32 journaled in astandard 33 on a detachable base plate 34 fitted in a suitable openingin the table l6. By properly actuating the rock shaft 32 the respectivependant stops 2! and 29 are moved in alternation into and from the pathsof the adjacent clothespins; that is to say, when one stop is swunginward the other stop is swung outward, and the converse.

In the present instance the rock-shaft 32 has fast thereon a rearwardlyextending arm 35 which is connected by means of a 1lnk 36 with the upperportion of a vertically reciprocative slide 31 mounted in a guide 38depending from the base plate 34. Hence when the slide is raised andlowered the rock-shaft and the pendant escapement members thereon areoscil1ated.' A spring-pressed bolt 39, which is slidably mounted in afixture 40 on the table, bears against the opposing face of the slide soas to exert thereon sufficient frictional pressure to maintain the slidetemporarily in its up and down positions respectively, such facepreferably having therein spaced sockets 4| with which the opposing endof the bolt is engaged in alternation. The lower portion of the slide 31has a lateral stud (or roll) 42 which is freely entered in a suitablecam groove formed in the arcuate face of a sector 43 fast on andconcurrently movable with a vertical rock-shaft 44. This rock-shaft isjournaled in a suitable bearing 45 on the base plate 34 rearwardly ofthe guide-plate 23 and is extended below the table. The lower portion ofthe rockshaft 44 has fast thereon a pinion 46 in mesh with a horizonta1rack 41 which, being slidably mounted in a stationary guide 48 on theunder side of the base plate, is periodically reciprocated throughsuitable actuating means in a manner to oscillate the pinion 46 andtherewith the vertical rock-shaft 44 and the sector cam 43, as willpresently appear. As shown the groove of the sector cam has a concentricportion 49 exceeding somewhat in width the diameter of the roll or stud42 of the slide 31 and having adjacent its respective ends bevelled camsurfaces 50 and 5|, whereof the surface 50 is located at the bottom walland the surface 5| is located at the upper wall of the groove. When theoscillating sector cam approaches the limit of its forward stroke,(concurrently with the forward stroke of the clothespin feeder dog), thelower cam surface 58! at the rear of the groove impinges the stud 42 andraises it to the upper wall of the groove, thus correspondingly liftingthe slide 3! and thereby partially turning the rock-shaft 32 and theescapement members thereon. At this stage the bolt 39 registers with thelower socket 4| of the slide and temporarily holds the slide and theescapement in set position until the sector cam approaches the limit ofits back stroke,

whereupon the cam surface 51 flowers (the .stud, thus lowering the slideand partially turning the rock-shaft and the escapement members to theirpreceding condition. The parts thus remain until thesector cam nears thelimit of its next forward stroke whereupon the .cam surface .51) againstcoacts with theistud 42 of the slide.

As shown the feeder dog 28., which is pivoted to an inwardly extendingarm 52 fas'ton thekupper end of the vertical rock-shaft 44, is movedconcurrently with the sector cam, :and is also resiliently urged towardthe adjacent face of the elothespin guide plate 23 bymeans, for example,of a suitably-disposed spring 53. When the feederdog 28 and the camsector 43 are at the limit of their "back strokes the dog is located ashort distance rearwardlyof the vertical clothesp'in at the receivineendof the guide plate; the first escapement stop 2! is in active position:

the second stop 29 is idle. and the head of the then leading slantingclothespin on the inclined plate 25 is supported by the opposing head ofthe vertical clothespin. (See Fig. 2a..)

"In the initial tor-ward movement of the dog :28 thefirst stop 2 "ismoved outward and the second stop 29 is moved inward. Continuing strokethe dog advances the opposing vertical pin a definite distance along theguide plate 23 while the second stop. being inward. maintains theopposing inclined clothespin in place upon the lower portion of theinclined plate 2 5. 'tl ie dog approaches the .limit of its for-Wardstroke the relative positions of the stops :2! and 25! are reversed,that is, the first :stop is moved inward and the second stop is movedoutward. Conse quently the head of the first inclined clothespin movesto and bears against the =opnos'ing first stop 21, which clothespinimmediately assumes a vertical position upon the guide plate. while thenext succeeding inclined 'clothespin leans with its head. against thehead of the vertical clothespin. In its reverse stroke the (10218 passesto and slightly beyond theopposing verti cal clothespin, the backwardmovement of the latter being prevented by the then opposing vanced adistance equal to the max mumdiameter of a clothespin so as to positionthe leading clothespin of the row '(when the row is *of suflicientleneth") upon the spreader 24 previously referred "to. In. each forwardstroke of the feeder after thefirst Clothespin has been positioned uponthe spreader the proximate Clothesp n astride of the spreader 's pushedtherefrom. This spreader. which is preferably a hardened integral porton of the guide plate 23. is substantially triangular in crossesection.its oppositely incl ned faces tbeins. :on the under side of the spreaderand diverging in close proximity to the angular corners of the crotch ofthe clothespin astride of the spreader. (See Fins. 1 2. 13 and. 1.4) orentrant portion of the resilient Drones of this clothesp -n snugly gripa laterally itapering member v54 which projects a short distance abovethe upper surface of the table i=6. (See Tics. and 6.) At this stage thehead of the :clo'thespin has passed beneath and in close relation to achanneled thrust member 55 conveniently supported by a bracket 56rising-,fromrthe-table, which memher, in conjunctionwit-h the tapering:projection, maintains the clothespin in upright position.

The flaring surfaces at the open.

The tapering projection Skis preferably formed by the upper portion of avertically grooved or channeled structure '51, which depends through andbelowthe table and is fixedly supported by a bracket .58 bolted to "theundersideo'f the table. This structure affords a stationary 'guide for:a vertically reciprocative relatively thin plunger 59 which is movablein tuned relation to the feeder into and ,from the :space between theprongs of the .clothespin astride of the spreader 24. The upper oracting endiof the plunger excoeds the width of the clot-hespin andpresents a slightly higher :or steplike portion 60 which traverses theslot of the clot'hespin when -.it (the clothespin) has been pushed fromthe spreader, a will presently appear Theilower step portion .61 of theplunger has therein an open transverse slot '62 adapted snugly gt-o"receive and Flaterally support a reinforcing element R of sub stantially.U-form, in inverted position. with its upstanding extremitiesprojecting slicht'ly above the adjacent plunger portion fil and incontact with the respective inner side walls of the guide structure 51.

.In the upward stroke of the plunger .59 the reinforcing element engagedtherewith .is driven toward the crotch of the clothespin, the stepportion 5! of the plunger asjit approaches the limit of its strokedriving the projecting extremities of the reinforcing element againstthe onposina inclined faces of thespreader '24 withzsufficient forcetodeflectsuch ext-rimitses outwardly in opposite directions to andthrough the angu lar corners of the crotch and into the solid body ofthe clothespin a substantial distance-but not far enough to bind thecrotch "to the spreader by the connective portion of 'the reinforoingelement. See Fig. 14. In this effective stroke of the plunger theupstanding legs :of the reinforcing element are well supported-by thewalls of the plunger slot v6'2, the innelywalls of the guide structure51 and the laterally opposing faces of the prongs of the clothespin.Preferably the slotted step portion 6.! of the plunaer 5.9 has formedtherein a V -groove 53, which intersects the slot Bland allows the baseof the reinforcine element to advance nearer the apex of the spreader.(SeeFigs. 11 .to 14.) v

In the next succeeding descent of the plunger the row of .c'lot'hespi-nsastriclejof the uide plate 73 is advanced .one step by the feeder dog28-. in consequence of "which the clothesp'in'with the legs of thereinforcine element partially em bedded there n is pushed ifull y .ofifthe free end i of the spreader and placed inf rvert oa'l alignment withthe path of the higher or secondary acting portion 55 of the plunger.beine there tempora-rilv held .by and between f the upper thrust member=55 and the lower tapering projection 54. Hence in the next succeedingefiective stroke of the plunger the reinforcing element is dr ven homeand a ainst the crotch .of the .clothesnn by the impact of the secondaryacting porti of the plunger on. the opposing reinforcing element. iSeeFig. 1.5.) Thereafter during each cnerat-i-ns' cycle the final .drivi 1g of a reinforc ng element is effected coincidental y with the-inseriiion or .a reinforcing element in the clothespin. .astride of thespreader. it being noted, n passinsz. that the completed thespn in eachsucceedins step advance of the. row of clothespins on the guide .plate23 dshus'hed -from machine and delivered to a suitably located discharae chute $4 or other rece ver.

. Any suitable mechanism for reciprocating the plunger 59 in timedrelation to the feeder dog 28 may be employed. In the present instancethe lower end of the plunger is pivotally connected by means of a link65 with the free end of a lever 66 pivotally mounted on a transversefulcrum shaft 61' fixed in a standard 68 on the bed l5. The lever has alateral roll 69 which is operatively fitted in the race of an adjacentface cam fast on the driven main shaft 19, the contour of the race beingsuch that in a partial rotation of such shaft the lever is idle and inthe remainder of the rotation of the shaft the'lever is oscillated, thusvertically reciprocatingthe plunger through the described link con-'nection.

As a simple and efficient means to form the reinforcing element R ofwire and properly position such element in the path of the plungerpreparatory to each effective stroke of the plunger, the followingdescribed mechani'sm -is illustrated:

' Formed in the spaced side walls of the plunger guide structure 51 arealigning transverse apertures 1| which are located in a horizontal planedirectly above the slot 62 of the plunger when the'latter is at thelimit of its descent. These apertures are adapted to receive the freeend of a strand of wire W extending from the rear of the table I6 and ata right angle to the vertical path of the plunger. The wire is advancedstepby-step to and through the apertures 1|, each step being equal totherelatively short length of wire for a single reinforcing element. Thewire is intermittently drawn from a suitably disposed spool, or othersource,- (not shown) by means of --a feeder comprising, for example, ahorizontal slide 12 mounted on the table and pivotally" supporting a dog13-which in the forward stroke of the slide bites the opposing wire andadvances it lengthwise a definite length through and beyond ahorizontallyperforated guide block 14 located adjacent the aperturedback wall of the plunger guide structure 51. As shown the table l6 hasformed therein a transverse slot 15 having a bottom plate 16 which,being bolted to the underside of the table; serves as a floor for thewire W and also as a support for the guide block 14. A back stop dog 11pivotally mounted on a bracket 18 "supported adjacent the guide blocknormally rests upon the underlying wire and prevents retrograde movementof the wire when the feeder slide 12 is retracted.

In the present instance the wire feeder slide is jointed to anupstanding arm 19 fast on a rock-shaft 89 which extends longitudinallyof and is journaled in hangers 8| bolted to the table. Also fast on theshaft 86 is a depending arm 82 having a lateral roll 83 which isoperatively fitted in the race of a barrel cam-84 fast on the drivenmain shaft IS, the contour of the cam race being such that during apartial rotation of the cam the arm 82 and the shaft 80 are oscillatedin a manner to rock the arm 19 and reciprocate the slide 12 toward andfrom the plunger guide structure, thereby effecting a determined stepadvance of the leading end of the wire through the apertured walls ofthe structure, followed by an extended dwell of the lever at the limitof the back stroke of the slide.

It is to be noted that the clothespin and the respective feeder dogs 28and 13 are actuated to feed the clothespins and the wire simultaneously.To this end the rock-shaft 80 has fast thereon anupstanding arm 65-whichis pivotally connected by a link 856 with the hereinbefore mentionedgear rack 41 in mesh with the pinion 46 on the vertical rock-shaft 44 ofthe clothespin feeder.

At the limit of each step advance of the wire a length thereof requisitefor a reinforcing element is severed from the projecting leading'end ofthe wire through the agency of suitable cutting mechanism, which lengthwhen produced spans the path of the plunger 59 between and rests in theapertures of the walls of the guide structure 51. The particular cuttermechanism illustrated comprises a blade 86 fast on a rockshaft 81 havingits bearings in a suitably-disposed bracket 88 bolted to the undersideof the table I 6. The effective cutting portion 89 of the blade is ininclined relation to the path of the wire and is so arranged that whenthe blade is raised the wire in its step advance passes freely throughthe apertures 1| of the guide structure 51. See Fig. 8. Thereupon, byactuation of the rockshaft 81, the blade is forcibly lowered'in slidingcontact with the correspondingly inclined outer end of a centrallyperforated head 96 through which projects the leading end of the strandof wire, which head is shown as detachably fixed-to the block 14. Thusthe projecting wire end is sheared from the strand, the severed lengthhaving pointed ends.

The rock-shaft 81 has also fast thereon'an arm 9| which is connected bymeans of a link 92 with the free end of a lever 93 pivotally mounted onthe shaft 61 previously referred to, which lever has a lateral roll 94operatively fitted in the race of an adjacent face cam 95 fast on thedriven shaft [9. The contour of the cam race is such that in each stepadvance of the wire the lever 93 is actuated to oscillate the rock-shaft81 and operate the cutter blade 86, following which the blade remains inraised position until the next succeeding step advance of the wire; andso on the wire is intermittently fed during the operation of themachine.

The rock-shaft 81 has also fast thereon in spaced relation .to the blade86 a wire bending member consisting of a former arm 96 of suitablecross-section which extends freely through a vertical slot 91 in theadjacent narrow wall of the plunger guide structure 51, which slot leadsto the path of the plunger in the region of the transverse passage ofthe wire through the structure. During the oscillation of the shaft 61the arm 96 is periodically swung in a vertical are into and from theplunger path. In its inner or down stroke, immediately following theseverance of the wire, the arm 96 forcibly impinges the severed wiresection spanning the path of the plunger, thereby downwardly bending thesection to U-form between the inner walls of the guide structure, andperforce producing a reinforcing element whereof the upstanding legs,bearing against the guide walls, are drawn below the plane of theapertures 1|. This done, the arm 96 is swung back to its raisedposition, thus leav-' ing the reinforcing element slidably supportedwithin the guide structure and directly above the mouth of the slot 62in the upper end of the underlying plunger. Thereupon the plunger israised by the action of the cam 10, the legs of the opposing reinforcingelement thus being initially embraced by the walls of the slot 62, asseen in Fig. 11,'and then being carried upwardly through the guidestructure and the space between the prongs of the clothespin astride ofthe spreader, unt1l the legs impinge the inclined faces of the spreader,as seen in Fig. 13, and are driven thence in diverging paths through theangular corners of the crotch of the clothespin, as hereinbeforedescribed. The upper portions of the inner faces of the walls of theguide structure are preferably provided with vertical grooves 98 whichserve to support and guide the upstanding legs of the reinforcingelement during its formation by the former arm 96 and during its initialupward movement by the driving plunger.

- Assuming that the guide plate 23 on the table I6 is supplied with a;row of clothespins whereof the leading pin straddles the spreader 24under the thrust member 55 and also embraces the upward projection 54 ofthe plunger guide struc-- ture 51, and assuming, also, that the plunger59 is at rest at the limit of its downward stroke by virtue of thecooperative relation of the dwell portion of the cam H! on the mainshaft to the actuating lever 66 for the plunger, the operation of themachine during each rotation of said shaft is as follows:

' In the rest period of the plunger the rock shaft 80 from which the arm82- dependsis actuated by virtue of the cooperative relation of the armto the: active portion of the cam- 84, thuseffecting throughtheupstanding arm 19 and. the slide 12' the advancement and retractionof the wire'feeding dog 73, and perforce projecting the free end of thewire: a determined distance through the b perforated guide block 14 andthe aperturedwalls ofthe plunger guide structure. The back stroke of thedog is followed by a prolonged dwell of the arm 12. During this dwell,as Well' as during the remainder of the dwell of the plunger actuatinglever 66, the rock shaft'8 1 carrying the cutter -88, 89 and the formerarm 98 is oscillated through the described crank and link connectionbetween the rock shaft 81 and the-actuating" lever 93' under the controlof the cam 95' on the mainshaft; the contour of the cam race being suchthat following the upward or return motion of said rock shaft 8:! thelatter remains at rest for. a prolonged period.- The cutter in its downstroke severs the end portion' of the wire'between the block and theplunger guide: structure; and immediately thereafter the arm 9| strikesthe midportion ofthe' severe'dwire secticn and bends itto U-form betweenthe inner walls of the plunger guide structure, the legs of thereinforcement thus: formed bearing frictionally: against the opposingwalls. In the succeeding upstroke of the cutter and the former arm -the1 cutter. rises above the path. of the wire and the armlSB isretractedirom the path of the plunger. Inthe dwell of the rock shaft 81the plunger is raised andv loweredv to its respective limits; remaining.inrdown' position during the reciprocation of the wire-feeding dog: 1.3and the oscillation of the associated cutter and former arm borneby'thero'ck shaft 81;

. In the upward stroke of the plunger the-lower step portion 6| at theacting'end thereof im'-' pinges the opposing reinforcing element-previ'ously formed and positioned within theguide structure 51, thus forcingthereinforcement-up ward in a path extending through the space be:-tween the prongs of the 'clothespi'n straddling the spreader 24-. Thedivergent faces ofthe spreader as the plunger approaches the'limit ofits upward stroke," deflect outwardly the*upstandinglegs of thereinforcement as-sucl'r legs pass to and are' beingpar-tiallydrivenin'totherespective oppos ing corners *of T the crotchof the cl'othespin.

1 During the oscillation of the roclshaf-t 80 to' 75 effect thefeedingof the wire while the plunger. is in down position, the row ofclothesp'iris extend ing' along the guide plate 23v is advanced one stepby means of the feeder dog 28 on the swinging arm 52', which'arm iscarried by the vertical rock shaft 44 the vicinity of the receivingv endof the guide. plate 23, motion being transmitted. to the shaft 44through the gear 66 thereon by the complementary rack 41 which. islinked: with the arm'85' fast on therock shaft 88. Hence in eachrotation of the main shaft 19 a clothespin is positioned. uponthelspreader to receive a reinforcement,- and? the preceding cloth'espinwith a partially entered reinforcement therein is advanced beyond the"spreader so as to position the rein"- forcement in' the path of thehigher portion 60 at the acting end of the plunger. Followingeachreciprocation of the feeder dog 28,. the escapement members 30 and 3|,which are" connected with and controlled byth'e'se'ctor cam 43 one thevertical rockshaft 4.4; areiconcurrently actuated tomo've'in alternationintovandl'from" the paths of theclothespins at the foot of the feedplate 25', thereby permitting the' delivery by gravity to the guideplate. 23; of the then leading pin on the" in clinecl" feed? plate; ashereinbefore described;

The; combination or means for supporting a birurcated clo'th'espir'imeans for driving a metalli e reinforcingelement having s'paced legs"into the" crotch and lengthwise of the interior of the body: of theclothespin and: with theconnection for the? legs extending transverselyof-the crotch, said driving means including a lunger and a and:longitudinally or the space between the prongs iof th Clothespin; saidguide structure constructed to: support the r'einforcing'element in theof the plunger anda, plane trans versely 'of the" acting end ofthepl'unger, whereby said plunger in its driving stroke forces said reinfbrcing element rrum; the: guide structure'- into and along the space"between the prongs of the clothes in: an with the legs; or the elementin contact with the inn'er" walls or theprongs and in liri'e with th-erespective corners ofthe crotch; said. supporting meansincluding astationary spreader for'the legs-of-s'aid element as they enter thecrotch-,- whereby-said legs'divr ge from-the corners of: thecrot'chih'toand through the'body' of the 'clo'thes'p'in to points: agreater'distance apart: them the width or the": crotch;

2 Th'e'combinatiori off means for supporting a bifurcated ClUtheSpifl;said means including a stationary spreader' adapted: to bestraddled Bythe prongs in close relation to the crotch of said clothesp'ih a; driverreciprocativewithin and lengthwise of the-spacebetwe'ensaid' prongs, andmeans rorsupportmg a-metau-ie reinforcing element havihg spacedlegsirr-a'nd transversely of the directive path 0f the acting end of'said driver and with the extremities of said reinforcing" eleireetedto'ward of? the clothesp'in. I

' 3'. The combination-of means for supporting a offtlie driver'ametallic reinforcing' element having spacedl Igssaid" acting-rendhaving a sec Y F spreau'erand: in substanti'al alignment with the innerwalls of the prong's and the respective corners of 'the crotch ondarydriving portion, and means for moving said clothespin and its associatedreinforcing element from the spreader and into the effective path ofsaid secondary driving portion.

laterally deflected in the effective stroke of the driving means.

5. In a machine for reinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, the combinationof means for supporting a metallic reinforcement having spaced legs,means for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrant portionof.the space between the prongs of the clothespin in longitudinal alignmentwith the space occupied by said reinforcement and with the inner wallsof said prongs in substantial alignment with the. respective legs of thereinforcement, said latter means including a stationary spreader membermounted in spaced relation to said reinforcement-supporting means and inposition to be straddled by the portions of the prongs adjacent thecrotch of the supported clothespin, and means for driving saidreinforcement toward said spreader and inserting the legs of thereinforcement in the corners of said crotch, said driving meansincluding a member movable through the space occupied by saidreinforcement and the space between the prongs of thesupportedclothespin, whereby the legs of said reinforcement aresupported and guided by the respective prongs.

6.; In a machine for reinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, thecombination of means for supporting a metallic reinforcement havingspaced legs, means for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrantportion of the space between the prongs of the clothespin inlongitudinal alignment with the spaceoccupied by said reinforcement andwith the inner walls of said prongs in substantial alignment with therespective legs of the reinforcement, said latter means including astationary spreader member mounted in spaced relation to saidreinforcement-supporting means and in position to be straddled by theportions of the prongs adjacent the crotch of the supported clothespin,means for driving said re inforcement toward said'spreader and insertingthe legs of the reinforcement in the corners of said crotch, saiddriving means including a driver member movable in a path through thespace occupied by said reinforcement and the space between the prongs ofthe supported clothespin, said driver member having in its actingportion a slot toreceive and support the reinforcement.

7. In a machine for reinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, the combinationof means for supporting a metallic reinforcement having spaced legs,means for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrant portion ofthe space between the prongs of the clothespin in longitudinal alignmentwith the space occupied by said reinforcement and with the inner wallsof said prongs-in substantial alignment with the respective legs of thereinforcement, the second-named means including a stationary projectionadapted to be embraced bythe walls of said mouth or entrant portion andincludingalso a stationary spreader member mounted in spaced relation tosaid, projection and in position to be straddled by the portions of theprongs adjacent the crotch of the supported clothespin, and means fordriving said reinforcement, toward said spreader and inserting the legsof the reinforcement in the corners of the crotch, said driving meansincluding a member movable ina path through the space occupied by saidreinforcement and the space between the prongs of the supportedclothespin.

8. In a machine forreinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, the combinationof a structure having spaced parallel walls, means for positioningbetween said walls a metallic reinforcement having spaced legs infrictional contact with said walls, means for supporting a clothespinwith the mouth or entrant portion of the space between the prongs of theclothespin'in longitudinal alignment with the space occupied by saidreinforcement and with the inner walls of the prongs in substantialalignment with the respective legs of the reinforcement, said lattermeans including a stationary spreader member mounted in'spaced relationto said structure and in position to be straddled by the portions of theprongs adjacent the crotch of the supported clothespin, a plunger insaid structure for forcibly driving said, reinforcement toward saidspreader and inserting the legs'of the reinforcement in the corners ofthe crotch, and mechanism for reciprocating said plunger through thespace occupied by the reinforcement within the structure and the spacebetween the prongs of the supported clothespin.

9. In a machine forreinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, thecombinationof a structure having spaced parallel walls, means for positioningbetween said walls a metallic reinforcement having spaced legs infrictional contact with said walls, means including the exit portion ofthe structure for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrantportion of the space between the prongs of the clothespin inlongitudinal alignment with the space occupied by said reinforcement andwith the inner walls of the prongs in substantial alignment with therespective legs of the reinforcement, said latter means also including astationary spreader member mounted in spaced relation to said structureand in position to be straddled by the portions of the prongs adjacentthe crotch of the supported clothespin, a plunger in said structure forforcibly driving said reinforcement toward said spreader and'insertingthe legs of th reinforcement in the corners of the crotch, and mechanismfor reciprocating said plunger through the space occupied by thereinforcement within the structure and the space between the prongs ofthe supported clothespin.

10. In a machine for reinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, thecombination of a structure having spaced parallel walls provided withaligning tranverse apertures to receive and support the respective endsof a measured length of wire transversely spanning the space betweensaid walls, severing means for the wire, means for bending said wirelengthin the space between said walls to form a reinforcement havingspaced legs in frictional contact with the opposing walls, means forsupporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrant portion of the spacebetween the prongs of the clothespin in longitudinal aligmnent with thespace occupied by said reinforcement and with the inner walls of theprongs in substan-,

;tial alignment with the respective legs of the reinforcement, saidclothespin supporting means including a stationary spreader membermounted in spaced relation to said structure and in positionto bestraddled by theportions of the prongs adjacent the crotch of thesupported clothespin, a plunger in said structure for forcibly drivingsaid reinforcement toward said spreader and inserting thelegs of thereinforcement in the corners of the crotch, and mechanism forreciprocating said plunger through the space occupied by thereinforcement within the structure and the space between the prongs ofthe supported clothespin.

11. In a machine for reinforcing bifurcated clothespins, the combinationof means for feeding a strand of wire step-by-step, said means includinga rock shaft, a lever fast thereon, and means for actuating said lever,means for cutting the leading end of said wire into succeeding definitelengths and for bending each length to produce a reinforcement elementhaving spaced legs, means for feeding clothespins step-by-step toposition each succeeding leading clothespin with its mouth or entrantportion in alignment with a reinforcement element, said clothespinfeeding means including an actuating member fast on said rock shaft, areciprocating plunger for driving each succeeding reinforcement betweenthe prongs and toward the crotch of the adjacent clothespin, and meansfor reciprocating said plunger in timed relation to said wire-feedingmeans and clothespin-feeding means.

12. In a machine for reinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, thecombination of a structure having spaced parallel Walls provided withaligning transverse apertures to receive and support the respective endsof a measured length of wire spanning the space between the walls, wiresevering means including a cutter movable across the path of the wireadjacent one of said apertures, a rock shaft for said cutter mountedexteriorly of said structure, and means for actuating said shaft, meansfor bending said wire length in the space between the walls of saidstructure to form a reinforcement having spaced legs in frictionalcontact with the walls, said bending means comprising a forming memberfast on said rock shaft and movable across and from the path of the wirebetween the inner walls of the structure, means for supporting aclothespin with the mouth or entrant portion of the space between theprongs of the clothespin in longitudinal alignment with the spaceoccupied by said reinforcement within the structure, a plunger in saidstructure for forcibly driving said reinforcement toward and insertingits legs in the corners of the crotch of the clothespin, and means forreciprocating said plunger through the space occupied by thereinforcement within the structure and the space between the prongs ofthe supported clothespin.

13. The combination of means for applying a reinforcement to abifurcated clothespin, and means for feeding clothespins to saidapplying means, said feeding means comprising an inclined feed member tosupport in straddling relation a row of clothespins and allow the row todescend intermittently to the lower part of said member, a substantiallyhorizontal guide member extending longitudinally from the foot of saidfeed member to receive in straddling relation each succeeding leadingclothespin, and means for causing the leading clothespin on said feedmember to assume a vertical position as it passes therefrom to saidguide member, the last mentioned means comprising oppositely-movable 75stops respectively mounted adjacent the upper paths of the leadingclothespin and the next succeeding clothespin of the row on the inclinedfeed member, means for concurrently actuating said stops at determinedintervals'to'move them into and out of the respective paths of theadjacent clothespins in alternation, and means for advancingeachvertically-disposed clothespin a determined distance along said guidemember when the stop adjacent such vertical clothespin is outward andthe stop adjacent the next succeeding inclinedclothespin is inward.

l4. The combination of means for applying a reinforcement to abifurcated clothespin, and means for feeding clothespins to saidapply-ing means, said feeding means comprising an inclined feed memberto support in straddling relation a row of clothespins and allow the rowto descend intermittently to the lower part of said member, asubstantially horizontal guide member extending longitudinally from thefoot of said feed member to receive in straddling relation eachsucceeding leading clothespin, and means for causing the leadingclothespin on said feed member to assume a vertical position as itpasses therefrom to said guide member, the last mentioned meanscomprising oppositely-movable stops respectively mounted adjacent theupper paths of the leading clothespin and the next succeeding clothespinof the row on the inclined feed member, means for concurrently actuatingsaid stops at determined intervals to move them into and out of therespective paths of the adjae cent clothespins in alternation, saidactuating means including an oscillatory member, and connections betweensaid oscillatory member and the stops, and means for advancing eachverticallydisposed clothespin a determined distance along said guidemember when the stop adjacent such vertical clothespin is outward andthe stop adjacent the next succeeding inclined clothespin is inward.

15. The combination of means for applying a reinforcement to abifurcated clothespin, and means for feeding clothespins to saidapplying means, said feeding means comprising an inclined feed member tosupport in straddling relation a row of clothespins and allow the row todescend intermittently to the lower part of said member, a substantiallyhorizontal guide member extending longitudinally from the foot of saidfeed member to receive in straddling relation each succeeding leadingclothespin, and means for causing the leading clothespin on said feedmember to assume a vertical position as it passes therefrom to saidguide member, the last mentioned means comprising oppositely-movablestops respectively mounted adjacent the upper paths of the leadingclothespin and the next succeeding clothespin of the row on the inclinedfeed member, means for concurrently actuating said stops at determinedintervals to move them into and out of the respective paths of theadjacent clothespins in alternation, said actuating means including anoscillatory member, and connections between said oscillatory member andthe stops, and means for advancing each verticallydisposed clothespin adetermined distance along said guide member when the stop adjacent suchvertical clothespin is outward and the stop adjacent the next succeedinginclined clothespin is inward, said advancing means including a feed dogand operative connection between said dog and the oscillatory member.

16. The combination of means for inserting a metallic reinforcement in abifurcated clothespin, and means for feeding clothespins to saidinsex-ting means, said feeding means comprising an inclined feed memberto support in straddling relation a row of clothespins and allow the rowto descend intermittently to the lower part of said member, asubstantially horizontal guide member extending longitudinally from thefoot of said feed member to receive in straddling relation eachsucceeding leading clothespin, and means for causing the leadingclothespin on said feed member to assume a vertical position as itpasses therefrom to said guide member, the last mentioned meanscomprising oppositely-movable stops respectively mounted adjacent theupper paths of the leading clothespin and the next succeeding clothespinof the row on the inclined feed member, means for concurrently actuatingsaid stops at determined intervals to move them into and out of therespective paths of the adjacent clothespins in alternation, saidactuating means including an oscillatory shaft, means for actuating saidshaft, a cam element fast on said shaft and connections between said camelement and the stops, and means for advancing each vertically-disposedclothespin a determined distance along said guide member when the stopadjacent such vertical clothespin is outward and the stop adjacent thenext succeeding inclined clothespin is inward, said advancing meansincluding a feed dog and a pivotal connection between said dog and saidoscillatory shaft.

JOHN R. NOLAN.

